Variable bounce club heads and related methods

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include a golf club head. The golf club head includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, the golf club head includes a club head body having an aggregate sole surface. The aggregate sole surface has multiple constituent sole surfaces and at least one riser surface. The multiple constituent surfaces and the riser surface(s) extend between the toe end and the heel end. The multiple constituent sole surfaces have a first sole surface and a second sole surface, and the riser surface(s) have a first riser surface located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/868,572, filed Aug. 21, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and relates more particularly to golf club heads and related methods.

BACKGROUND

The bounce angle of a golf club can impact the flight distance and/or accuracy of a golf ball struck with the golf club. Specifically, the bounce angle and/or bounce height can determine how easily a golf club head can penetrate the ground under the golf ball during a golf club swing. However, a bounce angle that may be desirable for a first set of ground conditions may not be desirable for a second (e.g., different) set of ground conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom, rear view of a club head, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 1 when positioned at a primary address configuration of multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 1 when positioned in an open address configuration of the multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the club head of FIG. 1 when positioned at the primary address configuration of FIG. 2, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the club head of FIG. 1 when positioned in the open address configuration of FIG. 3, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the club head of FIG. 1 taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a conventional club head in a primary address configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates the conventional club head in an open address configuration, according to the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a golf club; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary activity of providing an aggregate sole surface, according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

“Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments include a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, the golf club head comprises a club head body comprising an aggregate sole surface. The aggregate sole surface comprises multiple constituent sole surfaces and at least one riser surface. Meanwhile, the multiple constituent surfaces extend between the toe end and the heel end, and the riser surface(s) extend between the toe end and the heel end. Further, the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface, and the riser surface(s) comprise a first riser surface located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface. The first riser surface comprises a first riser surface heel end depth, a first riser surface midpoint depth, and a first riser surface toe end depth. Meanwhile, the first riser surface toe end depth is greater than the first riser surface midpoint depth and the first riser surface heel end depth, and the first riser surface midpoint depth is greater than the first riser surface heel end depth.

Other embodiments include a set of golf club heads. The set comprises a first golf club head and a second golf club head. The first golf club head comprises a first top end and a first bottom end opposite the first top end, a first front end and a first rear end opposite the first front end, and a first toe end and a first heel end opposite the first toe end. Further, the first golf club head comprises a first club head body comprising a first club aggregate sole surface, and the first club aggregate sole surface comprises multiple first club constituent sole surfaces and at least one first club riser surface. Further still, the first golf club head comprises a first primary address configuration and a first bounce angle, a first bounce height, and a first loft angle at the first primary address configuration, and comprises a first open address configuration that differs from the first primary address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the first open address configuration. Meanwhile, the second golf club head comprises a second top end and a second bottom end opposite the second top end, a second front end and a second rear end opposite the second front end, and a second toe end and a second heel end opposite the second toe end. Further, the second golf club head comprises a second club head body, and a second primary address configuration and a second loft angle at the second primary address configuration. The multiple first club constituent surfaces extend between the first toe end and the first heel end, and the first club riser surface(s) extend between the first toe end and the first heel end. The multiple first club constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface, and the first club riser surface(s) comprise a first riser surface. The first riser surface is located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface, the first loft angle is greater than or equal to approximately 45 degrees, the second loft angle is less than the first loft angle, and the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle.

Further embodiments include a method of manufacturing a golf club. The method comprises providing a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, providing the golf club head comprises providing a club head body, and providing the club head body comprises providing an aggregate sole surface of the club head body. Further still, providing the aggregate sole surface comprises: providing multiple constituent sole surfaces of the aggregate sole surface; and providing at least one riser surface of the aggregate sole surface. Meanwhile, the multiple constituent surfaces extend between the toe end and the heel end, and the riser surface(s) extend between the toe end and the heel end. Further, the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface, and the riser surface(s) comprise a first riser surface located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface. The first riser surface comprises a first riser surface heel end depth, a first riser surface midpoint depth, and a first riser surface toe end depth. Meanwhile, the first riser surface toe end depth is greater than the first riser surface midpoint depth and the first riser surface heel end depth, and the first riser surface midpoint depth is greater than the first riser surface heel end depth.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom, rear view of a club head 100, according to an embodiment. Club head 100 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Club head 100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein.

Generally, club head 100 can comprise a golf club head. The golf club head can be part of a corresponding golf club. Further, the golf club head can be part of a set of golf club heads, and/or the golf club can be part of a set of golf clubs. For example, club head 100 can comprise any suitable iron-type golf club head. In some embodiments, club head 100 can comprise a muscle-back iron-type golf club head or cavity-back iron-type golf club head. In further embodiments, club head 100 can comprise any suitable wedge iron-type golf club head. Nonetheless, although club head 100 is generally described with respect to a iron-type golf club head, club head 100 can comprise any other suitable type of golf club head, such as, for example, a wood-type golf club head (e.g., a driver club head, a fairway wood club head, a hybrid club head, etc.) or a putter golf club head. Generally, club head 100 can comprise any suitable materials, but in many embodiments, club head 100 comprises one or more metal materials. Exemplary metal materials can comprise 17-4 stainless steel, 431 stainless steel, 8620 carbon steel, and/or 1025 carbon steel. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Referring to FIG. 1, club head 100 comprises a top end 101, a bottom end 102 opposite top end 101, a front end 203 (FIGS. 2 & 3), a rear end 204 (FIGS. 2 & 3) opposite front end 203, a toe end 105, and a heel end 106 opposite toe end 105. Further, club head 100 comprises a club head body 107. Club head body 107 can be solid, hollow, or partially hollow. When club head body 107 is hollow and/or partially hollow, club head body 107 can comprise a shell structure, and further, can be filled and/or partially filled with a filler material different from a material of shell structure. For example, the filler material can comprise plastic foam.

Meanwhile, club head body 107 can comprise a top surface 208 (FIGS. 2 & 3), which can be referred to as a top rail, an aggregate sole surface 109, a face surface 210 (FIGS. 2 & 3), and a rear surface 111. Further, club head body 107 can comprise hosel 112 or any other suitable mechanism (e.g., a bore) for receiving and coupling a shaft to club head 100 and/or club head body 107. In some embodiments, rear surface 111 can comprise a custom tuning port, which can be configured to receive one or more weights. In other embodiments, the customer tuning port can be omitted. In the same or different embodiments, the other suitable mechanism(s) can be similar to hosel 112 in one or more respects.

Further, aggregate sole surface 109 can comprise multiple constituent sole surfaces 113 and one or more riser surfaces 114. Constituent sole surfaces 113 can comprise a sole surface 115 and a sole surface 116, and riser surface(s) 114 can comprise a riser surface 117. In many embodiments, constituent sole surfaces 113 also can comprise a sole surface 118, and riser surface(s) 114 also can comprise a riser surface 119. For purposes of illustration, aggregate sole surface 109 is described as comprising three constituent sole surfaces (e.g., sole surface 115, constituent sole surface 116, and constituent sole surface 118) of constituent sole surfaces 113, and is further described as comprising two riser surfaces (e.g., riser surface 117 and riser surface 119). In other embodiments, however, aggregate sole surface 109 can comprise (a) more or fewer constituent sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113 and/or (b) more or fewer riser surfaces of riser surface(s) 114. Nonetheless, as a result of the relationship between constituent sole surfaces 113 and riser surface(s) 114, practically speaking, a quantity of riser surfaces of riser surface(s) 114 can be one less than a quantity of constituent sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113. The relationship of constituent sole surfaces 113 and riser surface(s) 114 to each other, the advantages of implementing constituent sole surfaces 113, and the reasons for implementing more or less constituent sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113 is described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, sole surface 118 and riser surface 119 can be omitted.

Further still, each riser surface (e.g., riser surface 117, riser surface 119, etc.) of riser surface(s) 114 can comprise a riser surface heel end depth, a riser surface midpoint depth, and a riser surface toe end depth. For example, riser surface 117 can comprise a riser surface heel end depth 120, a riser surface midpoint depth 121, and a riser surface toe end depth 122. Further, when applicable, riser surface 119 can comprise a riser surface heel end depth 123, a riser surface midpoint depth 124, and a riser surface toe end depth 125. The relationships of the riser surface heel end depth, the riser surface midpoint depth, and the riser surface toe end depth at each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 is discussed in greater detail below.

Meanwhile, generally speaking, hosel 112 can be located at or proximate to heel end 106. Although a shaft is not illustrated at the drawings, hosel 112 can be configured to receive a shaft (i.e., via an opening 230 (FIG. 2) of hosel 112), such as, for example, a golf club shaft. Accordingly, hosel 112 can receive the shaft and permit the shaft to be coupled (e.g., permanently or removably) to club head 100 and/or club head body 107 when hosel 112 receives the shaft.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 2 illustrates a heel side view of club head 100 when positioned at a primary address configuration 226 of multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 illustrates a heel side view of club head 100 when positioned in an open address configuration 327 of the multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The multiple address configurations are explained in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 2, face surface 210 can be located at front end 203 and rear surface 111 can be located at rear end 204. Face surface 210 can be approximately opposite rear surface 111.

Face surface 210 can refer to a strike face or a strike plate of club head 100, and can be configured to impact a ball (not shown), such as, for example, a golf ball. In many embodiments, face surface 210 can comprise one or more scoring lines (e.g., grooves). The scoring line(s) can extend between toe end 105 (FIG. 1) and heel end 106 (FIG. 1).

Top surface 208 can be located at least partially at top end 101, and top surface 208 can interface with face surface 210 and rear surface 111 at top end 101. Further, aggregate sole surface 109 can be located at least partially at bottom end 102, and aggregate sole surface 109 can interface with face surface 210 and rear surface 111 at bottom end 102. In many examples, the interfaces of (a) top surface 208 with face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 and/or (b) aggregate sole surface 109 with face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 can be curved or faceted, providing smooth (or substantially smooth) transitions (a) between top surface 208 and face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 and/or (b) between aggregate sole surface 109 and face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111. In other embodiments, the interfaces of (a) top surface 208 with face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 and/or (b) aggregate sole surface 109 with face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 can be angular, providing sharp transitions (a) between top surface 208 and face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111 and/or (b) between aggregate sole surface 109 and face surface 210 and/or rear surface 111.

In many embodiments, constituent sole surfaces 113 (FIG. 1) can extend between toe end 105 (FIG. 1) and heel end 106 (FIG. 1) of aggregate sole surface 109 (FIG. 1). Further, constituent sole surface 113 (FIG. 1) can be arranged approximately parallel to each other from front end 203 to rear end 204. In many embodiments, sole surface 115 (FIG. 1) can be located closest to front end 203 followed sequentially by sole surface 116 (FIG. 1), sole surface 118 (FIG. 1), etc.

In operation, club head 100 can be positioned in multiple address configurations. The multiple address configurations can comprise a primary address configuration (e.g., primary address configuration 226) and one or more open address configurations (e.g., open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5)), the distinction of which is discussed in greater detail below.

In general, an address configuration of club head 100 can refer to a configuration of club head 100 in which club head 100 is positioned to address a golf ball (e.g., by a user as part of a golf club) while club head 100 is in a resting state. In these or other embodiments, an address configuration can refer to a configuration of club head 100 in which club head 100 is balanced (e.g., at aggregate sole surface 109) on a level surface (e.g., a ground surface) and acted upon only by gravity. In these or other embodiments, club head 100 can be decoupled from the shaft. For example, in some embodiments, when club head 100 is positioned in the primary address configuration (e.g., primary address configuration 226), club head 100 can be balanced at sole surface 115; and when club head 100 is positioned in the one or more open address configurations (e.g., open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5), etc.), club head 100 can be balanced at different ones of the remaining sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113 (e.g., sole surface 116, sole surface 118, etc.), respectively, for each open address configuration of the open address configuration(s).

For reference purposes, at each address configuration of club head 100, club head 100 can comprise a shaft axis (e.g., shaft axis 228, shaft axis 329 (FIG. 3), etc.). The shaft axis refers to a reference axis (a) that can be orthogonal to an opening 230 of hosel 112 of club head body 107 and (b) that can intersect a center point of opening 230. When a shaft is coupled to club head body 107, the shaft and the shaft axis can be approximately parallel and/or co-linear.

For each address configuration of club head 100, the shaft axis comprises a top-to-bottom axis (e.g., top-to-bottom axis 253, top-to-bottom axis 332 (FIG. 3), etc.), a heel-to-toe axis (e.g., heel-to-toe axis 433 (FIG. 4), heel-to-toe axis 534 (FIG. 5), etc.), and a front-to-rear axis (e.g., front-to-rear axis 235, front-to-rear axis 326 (FIG. 3), etc.). The top-to-bottom axis, heel-to-toe axis, and front-to-rear axis can provide a Cartesian reference frame for club head 100 as component axes of the shaft axis of the corresponding address configuration. In these embodiments, the top-to-bottom axis, the heel-to-toe axis, and the front-to-rear axis each can be orthogonal to each other. Further, the top-to-bottom axis can extend approximately in a direction of top end 101 and bottom end 102; the heel-to-toe axis can extend approximately in a direction of heel end 106 (FIG. 1) and toe end 105 (FIG. 1); and/or the front-to-rear axis can extend approximately in a direction of front end 203 and rear end 204. Notably, in many embodiments, the shaft axis can be oriented differently for each address configuration of club head 100. However, in these or other embodiments, the top-to-bottom axis for each address configuration of the multiple address configurations can be approximately parallel to each other, the heel-to-toe axis for each address configuration of the multiple address configurations can be approximately parallel to each other, and/or the front-to-rear axis for each address configuration of the multiple address configurations can be approximately parallel to each other.

Meanwhile, for each address configuration of club head 100, club head 100 can comprise a lie angle (e.g., lie angle 454 (FIG. 4), lie angle 528 (FIG. 5), etc.) and a loft angle (e.g., loft angle 229, loft angle 330 (FIG. 2), etc.). In these embodiments, the shaft axis can form the lie angle with a ground plane (e.g., ground plane 231, ground plane 338 (FIG. 3), etc.), and a loft plane (e.g., loft plane 239, loft plane 340 (FIG. 3), etc.) can form the loft angle with the ground plane. Further, for each address configuration, club head 100 can comprise one or more keel points (e.g., keel point 232, keel point 333 (FIG. 3), etc.), one or more leading edge points (e.g., leading edge point 234, leading edge point 335 (FIG. 3), etc.), a bounce height (e.g., bounce height 251, bounce height 352 (FIG. 3), etc.), and one or more trailing edge points (e.g., trailing edge point 236, trailing edge point 337 (FIG. 3), etc.). Further still, for each address configuration, the top-to-bottom axis can be approximately orthogonal to the ground plane, the heel-to-toe axis can be approximately parallel to the ground plane, and/or the front-to-rear axis can be approximately parallel to the ground plane. FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of club head 100 when positioned at primary address configuration 226 of multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of club head 100 when positioned in open address configuration 327 of the multiple address configurations, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the ground plane for a particular address configuration can refer to a plane (a) that is parallel to a plane including the heel-to-toe axis and the front-to-rear axis when club head 100 is positioned in a particular address configuration and (b) that intersects or is tangent to the keel point(s) for that address configuration. In many embodiments, the ground planes for each address configuration of the multiple address configurations are approximately parallel to each other.

Meanwhile, the keel point(s) can refer to the point or points of aggregate sole surface 109 closest to bottom end 102 and farthest from top end 101 when club head 100 is positioned in a particular address configuration. For purposes of clarity, the keel point(s) can comprise a single point in some examples, but also can comprise multiple points if each of the multiple points are equally close to bottom end 203 and far from top end 101. In many embodiments, each constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 can correspond to one address configuration of the multiple address configurations, respectively. In these or other embodiments, the constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 corresponding to the address configuration of the multiple address configurations can be the constituent sole surface comprising the keel point(s) for that particular address configuration.

In many embodiments, for primary address configuration 226, sole surface 115 can comprise keel point 232; and for open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5), sole surface 116 can comprise keel point 333 (FIG. 3). Accordingly, in these or other embodiments, sole surface 115 can correspond to primary address configuration 226, and sole surface 116 can correspond to open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5). Further, ground plane 231 can intersect keel point 232, be approximately parallel to heel-to-toe axis 433 (FIG. 4) and front-to rear axis 235, and correspond to primary address configuration 226. Meanwhile, in these or other embodiments, ground plane 338 (FIG. 3) can intersect keel point 333 (FIG. 3), be approximately parallel to heel-to-toe axis 534 (FIG. 5), and correspond to open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5).

Further, the leading edge point(s) can refer to the point or points of aggregate sole surface 109 that are closest to front end 203 and farthest from rear end 204 when club head 100 is positioned in a particular address configuration. For purposes of clarity, the leading edge point(s) can comprise a single point in some examples, but also can comprise multiple points if each of the multiple points are equally close to front end 203 and far from rear end 204. For example, in many embodiments, for primary address configuration 226, aggregate sole surface 109 can comprise leading edge point 234; and for open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5), aggregate sole surface 109 can comprise leading edge point 335 (FIG. 3).

Further still, the bounce height can refer to a distance of the leading edge point(s) above and perpendicular to the ground plane in a particular address configuration. As discussed in greater detail below, in some embodiments, the bounce height for each address configuration of club head 100 can be approximately equal. In further embodiments, the bounce height can vary by less than or equal to approximately 5% between the address configurations of club head 100.

Meanwhile, the trailing edge point(s) can refer to the point or points of a particular constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 that corresponds to (i.e., includes the keel point(s) of aggregate sole surface 109 for) a particular address configuration of the multiple address configurations and that are closest to rear end 204 and farthest from front end 203. For purposes of clarity, the trailing edge point(s) can comprise a single point in some examples, but also can comprise multiple points if each of the multiple points are equally close to rear end 204 and far from front end 203.

Meanwhile, a loft plane can refer to a plane (a) that intersects the leading edge point(s) and (b) that is approximately parallel with face surface 210 when club head 100 is positioned in an address configuration. In these or other embodiments, the loft plane can refer to a plane (a) that intersects a face center of face surface 210 and (b) that is approximately parallel with face surface 210 when club head 100 is positioned in an address configuration. In many examples, the face center can refer to a location at face surface 210 that is equidistant between toe end 105 (FIG. 1) and heel end 106 (FIG. 1) and further that is equidistant between top end 101 and bottom end 102. In various examples, the face center can refer to the face center as defined at United States Golf Association: Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX 3004, Revision 1.0.0, p. 6, May 1, 2008 (retrieved Aug. 2, 2013 from http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Test-Protocols-For-Equipment), which is incorporated herein by reference. When face surface 210 is planar and/or substantially planar, face surface 210 and the loft plane can be approximately co-planar. Meanwhile, when face surface 210 is non-planar (e.g., curved), at least part of face surface 210 can be located in front of or behind the loft plane.

In many embodiments, primary address configuration 226 can refer to an address configuration of club head 100 at which lie angle 454 (FIG. 4) comprises a predetermined angle (i.e., determined by a manufacturer) and/or loft angle 229 comprises a predetermined angle (i.e., determined by the manufacturer). For example, club head 100 can be designed (i.e., by the manufacturer) to primary address configuration 226. In these or other examples, a type of club head of club head 100 can be identified according to loft angle 229.

In many embodiments, when club head 100 is positioned in primary address configuration 226, loft angle 229 can comprise a predetermined angle greater than or equal to approximately 0 degrees and less than or equal to approximately 65 degrees. More specifically, when club head 100 comprises a wedge iron-type golf club head, loft angle 229 can comprise a predetermined angle greater than or equal to approximately 45 degrees and less than or equal to approximately 65 degrees. Further, when club head 100 is positioned in primary address configuration 226, lie angle 454 (FIG. 4) can comprise a predetermined angle greater than or equal to approximately 50 degrees and less than or equal to approximately 60 degrees.

Meanwhile, the open address configuration(s) can refer to one or more address configurations that result from opening club head 100. When club head 100 is implemented for a right-handed user, opening club head 100 can refer to rotating club head 100 about the shaft axis in a clockwise manner. Meanwhile, when club head 100 is implemented for a left-handed user, opening club head 100 can refer to rotating club head 100 about the shaft axis in a counter-clockwise manner. Accordingly, the orientation of club head 100 changes due to opening club head 100. The open address configuration(s) are described in context with the constituent sole surfaces 113 below.

For each address configuration of club head 100, club head 100 also can comprise an effective bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle 241, effective bounce angle 342 (FIG. 3), etc.), a traditional bounce angle (e.g., traditional bounce angle 243, traditional bounce angle 344 (FIG. 3), etc.), an edge line (e.g., edge line 245, edge line 346 (FIG. 3), etc.), and a contact line (e.g., contact line 247, contact line 348 (FIG. 3), etc.). The edge line can refer to a line that intersects the leading edge point(s) and the trailing edge point(s) for the particular address configuration; and the contact line can refer to a line that intersects the leading edge point(s) and the keel point(s) for the particular address configuration. Where any of the keel point(s), leading edge point(s), and/or trailing edge point(s) comprise multiple points, a single point average location of the points can be used for measurement. Meanwhile, the effective bounce angle can refer to an angle formed between the edge line and the ground plane for the particular address configuration, and the traditional bounce angle can refer to an angle formed between the contact line and the ground plane for the particular address configuration.

As discussed earlier, the keel point(s), leading edge point(s), ground plane, loft plane, loft angle, lie angle, edge line, contact line, effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle are all subject to change depending on the particular address configuration. The relevance of these details will be explained in greater detail below with respect to constituent sole surfaces 113.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 can be located between and/or can separate two constituent sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113, respectively. For example, rise surface 117 can be located between and/or can separate sole surface 115 and sole surface 116, and riser surface 119 can be located between and/or can separate sole surface 116 and sole surface 118. As mentioned before, because of this relationship, a quantity of riser surfaces of riser surface(s) 114 can be one less than a quantity of constituent sole surfaces 113. The nature of this relationship is described in greater detail below.

To simplify the description for purposes of clarity herein, in many examples, each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 can be thought of as being paired with one constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 to form an indentation (e.g., a groove) or a step in aggregate sole surface 109. In these examples, each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 can be paired with one trailing constituent sole surface of constituent sole surface 113 to form the indentation or step. That is, of the two constituent sole surfaces between which a particular riser surface is paired, the riser surface can be thought of as paired with the constituent sole surface of the two that is closer to rear end 204. Accordingly, riser surface(s) 114 are generally not referred to as being paired with the leading constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 (i.e., the constituent sole surface nearest to front end 203 (FIGS. 2 & 3)).

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of club head 100 taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 1. In many embodiments, each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 can form a step angle (e.g., step angle 649, step angle 650, etc.) with the constituent sole surface with which it is paired. In many examples, this step angle can be greater than or equal to approximately 80 degrees and less than approximately 180 degrees. In specific examples, when riser surface(s) 114 comprise multiple riser surfaces, one or more of the step angles can be approximately 90 degrees. In further examples, when riser surface(s) 114 comprise multiple riser surfaces, the step angle for one pair of riser surface and constituent sole surface can be the same or different than one or more other pairs, as applicable. In many embodiments, riser surface 117 (FIG. 1) can form step angle 649 with sole surface 116 (FIG. 1), and riser surface 119 (FIG. 1) can form step angle 650 with sole surface 118.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the riser surface toe end depth can refer to a width of a particular riser surface (e.g., riser surface 117, riser surface 119, etc.) of riser surface(s) 114 at a location of the particular riser that is proximate to toe end 105; the riser surface midpoint depth can refer to a width of the particular riser surface at a location of the particular riser equidistant between toe end 105 and heel end 106; and the riser surface heel end depth can refer to a width of the particular riser surface at a location of the particular riser surface that is proximate to heel end 105.

In many examples, when the particular riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 flairs toward its paired trailing constituent sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 at the toe and/or heel ends of the particular riser surface, the riser surface toe end depth and/or the riser surface heel end depth can be located approximately and/or directly before such flair occurs. In these or other examples, generally, the riser toe end depth can be located at a distance from the toe end of the particular riser surface that is greater than or equal to approximately 5 percent and less than or equal to approximately 25 percent of a total length of the particular riser surface between the toe end and heel end; and/or the riser heel end depth can be located at a distance from the heel end of the particular riser surface that is greater than or equal to approximately 5 percent and less than or equal to approximately 25 percent of the total length of the particular riser surface between the toe end and heel end. When riser surface(s) 114 comprise multiple riser surfaces, the locations of the riser toe end depth and riser heel end depth can be the same for each riser surface of riser surface(s) 114 or can be different between one or more of riser surface(s) 114.

In some examples, the riser surface toe end depth of a particular riser (e.g., riser surface 117, riser surface 119, etc.) of riser surface(s) 114 can be greater than the riser surface midpoint depth and the riser surface heel end depth of the particular riser. Further, the riser surface midpoint depth of the particular riser can be less than the riser surface toe end depth of the particular riser.

In further examples, the riser surface toe end depth of a particular riser (e.g., riser surface 117, riser surface 119, etc.) can be less than the riser surface midpoint depth and the riser surface heel end depth of the particular riser. Further, the riser surface midpoint depth can be less than the riser surface heel end depth of the particular riser.

In these or other examples, a change (e.g., a taper) in the depth of a particular riser (e.g., riser surface 117, riser surface 119, etc.) between the riser surface toe end and the riser surface heel end can be continuous and/or approximately linear. As described above, club head 100 can be implemented such that a riser surface toe end depth of a particular riser is greater than a riser surface heel end depth, or vice versa. Meanwhile, in various embodiments, when riser surface(s) 114 comprise multiple riser surfaces, the change in depth in one riser surface (e.g., riser surface 117) of riser surface(s) 114 can be equivalent to or different from the change in depth of one or more other riser surfaces (e.g., riser surface 119) of riser surface(s) 114.

Each sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113 can be configured to provide different keel point(s), trailing edge point(s), and leading edge point(s) for the various address configurations of club head 100. Moreover, constituent sole surfaces 113 can be configured to provide different keel point(s), trailing edge point(s), and leading edge point(s) from each other for the various address configurations of club head 100 A user of club head 100 is able to selectively position club head 100 in the primary address configuration (e.g., primary address configuration 226 (FIGS. 2 & 4)) and the one or more of the open address configurations (e.g., open address configuration 327 (FIGS. 3 & 5) by opening and closing club head 100, as desired. As a result, the user of club head 100 can elect which sole surface of constituent sole surfaces 113, and therefore which bounce angle characteristics of club head 100, the user desires to operate club head 100 for particular ground conditions. That is, multiple bounce angles (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100 can be achieved for the various sole surfaces of constituent sole surfaces 113.

As a general matter, the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100 can impact how club head 100 moves through turf or other ground surfaces (e.g., sand, mud, etc.). Increasing the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100 can cause club head 100 to dig less into the turf while decreasing the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100 can cause club head 100 to dig more into the ground surface. Accordingly, for softer ground conditions, it can be desirable to increase bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle), while for harder ground conditions, it can be desirable to decrease bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle).

Accordingly, in many examples, a user of a golf club may desire to alter the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of a golf club head to the particular ground conditions. Generally, the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of both a conventional club head and of club head 100 can be varied by the action of opening the respective club head. However, the action of opening the club head also changes the respective club head from its primary address configuration to a resulting open address configuration. As noted above, changing the address configuration of a club head can also change the keel point(s), leading edge point(s), ground plane, loft plane, loft angle, lie angle, edge line, contact line, effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle. In a conventional club head, as illustrated at FIGS. 7 & 8, opening the conventional club head can lead to a substantial change in a bounce height of the conventional club head. However, a change of this magnitude may not be desirable for some ground conditions. For example, higher leading edge point(s) may be desirable for hitting a golf ball in sand but may be less desirable when hitting the golf ball on turf. Nonetheless, the nature of the ground conditions (e.g., as a whole) may still make increasing the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of the club head desirable, despite wanting to minimize a change in a bounce height of the club head.

Advantageously, constituent sole surfaces 113 of aggregate sole surface 109 of club head 100 permit a user to have greater control over a resulting change of the bounce height of club head 100 and the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100 as a result of opening club head 100. Specifically, the action of opening club head 100 can result in a more controlled (e.g., smaller) change in the bounce height of club head 100 compared to a conventional club head, as comparatively illustrated at FIGS. 4 & 5 versus FIGS. 7 & 8. Notably, as the quantity of constituent sole surfaces 113 increases, the user can have increasing control over the resulting change of the bounce height of club head 100 and the bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle) of club head 100.

More specifically, a user of club head 100 can move between constituent sole surfaces 113 to control a change in bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle). However, by changing (e.g., tapering) the depth of the riser surface between constituent sole surfaces 113 continuously and/or approximately linearly, moving from one constituent sole surface to another can be accomplished more gradually. Indeed, club head 100 can be specifically configured so that the bounce heights of the various address configurations of club head 100 are substantially similar (e.g., minimally changing) over the varying address configurations while still permitting a change in bounce angle (e.g., effective bounce angle and/or traditional bounce angle).

In some embodiments, changing (e.g., tapering) the depth of the riser surface between constituent sole surfaces 113 continuously and/or approximately linearly can also permit a greater amount of mass to be positioned close to bottom end 102 of club head 100. Such mass distribution can permit the center of gravity to be located lower in club head 100.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method 900 of manufacturing a golf club.

Method 900 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 900 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes of method 900 can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes of method 900 can be performed in any other suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes in method 900 can be combined or skipped.

Method 900 can comprise activity 901 of providing a club head. The club head can be similar or identical to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-6). In some embodiments, performing activity 901 can comprise performing an activity of providing a club head body. The club head body can be similar or identical to club head body 107 (FIGS. 1-3). Meanwhile, performing the activity of providing the club head body can comprise an activity of providing an aggregate sole surface. The aggregate sole surface can be similar or identical to aggregate sole surface 109 (FIGS. 1-3). FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary activity 1000 of providing an aggregate sole surface, according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Activity 1000 can comprise activity 1001 of providing multiple constituent sole surfaces of the aggregate sole surface. The multiple constituent sole surfaces can be similar or identical to multiple constituent sole surfaces 113 (FIGS. 1-3).

Activity 1000 can comprise activity 1002 of providing at least one riser surface of the aggregate sole surface. The riser surface(s) can be similar or identical to riser surface(s) 114 (FIGS. 1-3). In many embodiments, activity 1002 can be performed approximately simultaneously with activity 1001. Further, activity 1000 can be performed as part of activity 901 (FIG. 9). As an example, the various features of the aggregate sole surface can be cast, molded, or formed along with the rest of the club head and/or machined (e.g., cut or drilled) into the club head.

Referring now back to FIG. 9, method 900 can comprise activity 902 of providing a shaft. The shaft can be similar or identical to the shaft described above with respect to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-6).

Further, method 900 can comprise activity 903 of coupling the shaft to the club head.

Activity 903 can be performed after activity 901 and activity 902.

In many embodiments, activity 901 and/or activity 902 can be performed using one or more metallurgic techniques including casting, molding, forming, machining, etc.

Although the golf club head(s) and related methods herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that activities 901-903 of FIG. 9 and activity 1001 and 1002 of FIG. 10 may be comprised of many different activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, that any element of FIGS. 1-10 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.

Further, while the above examples may be described in connection with an iron-type golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs such as a wood-type golf club or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in the foregoing description. Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of this application shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

The golf club heads and related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents. 

What is claimed is: 1) A golf club head comprising: a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end; a front end and a rear end opposite the front end; a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end; and a club head body comprising an aggregate sole surface, the aggregate sole surface comprising multiple constituent sole surfaces and at least one riser surface; wherein: the multiple constituent surfaces extend between the toe end and the heel end; the at least one riser surface extends between the toe end and the heel end; the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface; the at least one riser surface comprises a first riser surface; the first riser surface is located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface; the first riser surface comprises a first riser surface heel end depth, a first riser surface midpoint depth, and a first riser surface toe end depth; the first riser surface toe end depth is greater than the first riser surface midpoint depth and the first riser surface heel end depth; and the first riser surface midpoint depth is greater than the first riser surface heel end depth. 2) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head. 3) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a primary address configuration and a loft angle at the primary address configuration; wherein: the loft angle is greater than or equal to approximately 45 degrees. 4) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle at the first address configuration; and a second address configuration and a second bounce angle at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; wherein: the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle. 5) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle and a first bounce height at the first address configuration; and a second address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; wherein: the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle; and the first bounce height is approximately equal to the second bounce height. 6) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle and a first bounce height at the first address configuration; and a second address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; wherein: the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle; and the first bounce height varies from the second bounce height by less than or equal to approximately 5 percent. 7) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a third sole surface; the at least one riser surface comprises a second riser surface; the second riser surface comprises a second riser surface heel end depth, a second riser surface midpoint depth, and a second riser surface toe end depth; the second riser surface toe end depth is greater than the second riser surface midpoint depth and the second riser surface heel end depth; and the second riser surface midpoint depth is greater than the second riser surface heel end depth. 8) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle at the first address configuration; a second address configuration and a second bounce angle at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; and a third address configuration and a third bounce angle at the third address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration and the second address configuration; wherein: the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a third sole surface; and the at least one riser surface comprises a second riser surface. 9) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the first riser surface heel end depth is located at a distance from a heel end of the first riser surface that is greater than or equal to approximately 5 percent and less than or equal to approximately 25 percent of a total length of the first riser surface between the toe end and heel end; and the first riser surface toe end depth is located at a distance from a toe end of the first riser surface that is greater than or equal to approximately 5 percent and less than or equal to approximately 25 percent of the total length of the first riser surface between the toe end and heel end. 10) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: a change in a depth of the first riser surface between the first riser surface heel end depth and the first riser surface toe end depth is approximately linear. 11) The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising: a step angle between the first riser surface and the second sole surface; wherein: the step angle is greater than or equal to approximately 80 degrees and less than 180 degrees. 12) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the first sole surface comprises a first trailing edge point; the second sole surface comprises a second trailing edge point; and the first trailing edge point is different than the second trailing edge point. 13) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the first sole surface comprises a first keel point; the second sole surface comprises a second keel point; and the first keel point is different than the second keel point. 14) A set of golf club heads, the set comprising: a first golf club head comprising: a first top end and a first bottom end opposite the first top end; a first front end and a first rear end opposite the first front end; a first toe end and a first heel end opposite the first toe end; a first club head body comprising a first club aggregate sole surface, the first club aggregate sole surface comprising multiple first club constituent sole surfaces and at least one first club riser surface; a first primary address configuration and a first bounce angle, a first bounce height, and a first loft angle at the first primary address configuration; and a first open address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the first open address configuration, the first open address configuration being different from the first primary address configuration; and a second golf club head comprising: a second top end and a second bottom end opposite the second top end; a second front end and a second rear end opposite the second front end; a second toe end and a second heel end opposite the second toe end; a second club head body; and a second primary address configuration and a second loft angle at the second primary address configuration; wherein: the multiple first club constituent surfaces extend between the first toe end and the first heel end; the at least one first club riser surface extends between the first toe end and the first heel end; the multiple first club constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface; the at least one first club riser surface comprises a first riser surface; the first riser surface is located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface; the first loft angle is greater than or equal to approximately 45 degrees; the second loft angle is less than the first loft angle; and the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle. 15) The set of claim 14 wherein: the second loft angle is less than 45 degrees. 16) The set of claim 14 wherein: the second bounce height varies from the first bounce height by less than or equal to approximately 5 percent. 17) The set of claim 14 wherein: the second club head body comprises a second club aggregate sole surface, the second club aggregate sole surface comprising multiple second club constituent sole surfaces and at least one second club riser surface; the multiple second club constituent surfaces extend between the second toe end and the second heel end; the at least one second club riser surface extends between the second toe end and the second heel end; the multiple second club constituent sole surfaces comprise a third sole surface and a fourth sole surface; the at least one second club riser surface comprises a second riser surface; the second riser surface is located between the third sole surface and the fourth sole surface; the second club head body further comprises a third bounce angle at the second primary address configuration; the second club head body further comprises a second open address configuration and a fourth bounce angle at the second address configuration; and the fourth bounce angle is different than the third bounce angle. 18) A method of manufacturing a golf club, the method comprising: providing a golf club head; wherein: the golf club head comprises: a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end; a front end and a rear end opposite the front end; and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end; providing the golf club head comprises providing a club head body; providing the club head body comprises providing an aggregate sole surface of the club head body; providing the aggregate sole surface comprises: providing multiple constituent sole surfaces of the aggregate sole surface; and providing at least one riser surface of the aggregate sole surface; the multiple constituent surfaces extend between the toe end and the heel end; the at least one riser surface extends between the toe end and the heel end; the multiple constituent sole surfaces comprise a first sole surface and a second sole surface; the at least one riser surface comprises a first riser surface; the first riser surface is located between the first sole surface and the second sole surface; the first riser surface comprises a first riser surface heel end depth, a first riser surface midpoint depth, and a first riser surface toe end depth; the first riser surface toe end depth is greater than the first riser surface midpoint depth and the first riser surface heel end depth; and the first riser surface midpoint depth is greater than the first riser surface heel end depth. 19) The method of claim 18 wherein: the golf club head comprises: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle at the first address configuration; a second address configuration and a second bounce angle at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; and the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle. 20) The method of claim 18 wherein: the golf club head comprises: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle and a first bounce height at the first address configuration; a second address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle; and the first bounce height is approximately equal to the second bounce height. 21) The method of claim 18 wherein: the golf club head comprises: a first address configuration and a first bounce angle and a first bounce height at the first address configuration; a second address configuration and a second bounce angle and a second bounce height at the second address configuration, which is different from the first address configuration; the second bounce angle is different than the first bounce angle; and the first bounce height varies from the second bounce height by less than or equal to approximately 5 percent. 